GMB Scotland will consult with its members over Falkirk Council’s proposals to cut 330 jobs.

The council employs 800 GMB workers and so the union will discuss with them what to do about council proposals to cut terms and conditions as part of a spending cuts package, which includes 330 full time equivalent job losses.

The cuts are the result of Falkirk’s drive to save £30.8m in the two financial years 2015/16 and 2016/17, rising to over £51m in 2017/18.

The cuts to terms and conditions will save a projected £1.5m per year.

Falkirk Council, like other Scottish councils, was hit hard by the Scottish government’s surprising announcement last month that local government funding will be cut by 3.5% in the next year.

Christina Lambie, GMB Scotland organiser, said: ‘This is a very difficult time for the workforce in Falkirk Council. Last year there was a loss of 100 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs. This year there will be the loss of a further 330 FTE jobs as well as the proposal to cut the terms and conditions package of our members by £1.5 million.

‘This is the reality for workers from the budget set by the Scottish Government. We see jobs lost and terms and conditions under attack. This will also have a negative impact on the services delivered to the people of Falkirk.’

Ms. Lambie continued: ‘The outcome of the consultation is unpredictable as for the first time the workforce are being asked to reduce their income and in these difficult times and we don't know if our members are up for that but the consultations will tell us what members wish to do.’